Talent in Autism Show 4

Talents in Autism Concert is a yearly event that creates a platform for the children and staff of Patrick Speech and Language Centre to show case their unique talent in different areas.

This year’s talent in Autism Show, in its fourth edition, took place at The Incubator, Yesufu Abiodun, Victoria Island in Lagos State, on the 9th December, 2012 at 2pm.

The event started at exactly 3pm with an opening prayer by Mr. Olufunmbi Adeeko, a staff at Patricks, followed by the national anthem, school anthem and welcome song led by the children of Patricks. There was an alphabet display with makathon (a symbolic way of using signs for communication purposes) by the children while the piano played at the background by Oreofe Osisami, one of our children at the Centre (Michael Jackson’s Heal the world).

A welcome address was given by Mrs. Dotun Akande and the drama commenced, presented by the staff of Patricks. The drama was displayed in scenes about a wonderful story of how two people fell in love, following the trend of marriage and child birth. They lived through the challenges of discovering their autistic child and overcoming the challenge. In between the drama scenes, friends of Patricks from Barachel Model College, Iju Ishaga, Lagos, presented a placard display titled – We are one before God. Peter sax played the sax instrument , giving us a feel of musical thrills. Video clips from the award winning short movie on autism titled ‘Silver Lining’ were shown as well as picture clips from the last edition of Talent in Autism show.

There were three performances by our children in the blue, orange, pink and green classes. Also, piano presentations were rendered by Tomi Balogun ‘Mary had a little lamp’, Segun Talabi ‘Holy Holy Holy’. Some of our verbal children recited memory verses and the audience applauded them.

The event was graced by some dignitaries and Patricks special guest such Mr. Adeola Oladugba from Special Olympics Nigeria, a representative of the Chairman of SUBEB in person of Mrs. Bunmi Oteju, Mr. Kerry Brooks of Autism 2 awesome.

Delegates from Media Houses such as Ontv, Elizabeth from NTA 2 Channel 5, Print Media, Punch Newspaper and Vanguard Newspaper were present to cover the events. The Proprietress of Patricks, Therapists, Guests and even the students of Patricks were interviewed on this occasion.

The event was capped with the auctioning of our children’s craft work which was an amazing part of this event. The vocational materials such as bed sheets shirts, throw pillows, puff stools, beads, wooden penny safe, were all sold out. Everybody present wanted to have at least an item from our children’s vocational work and they all supported us by buying these materials.

This brought a close to this even and the vote of thanks was said by Miss Ayodotun Akande and Mrs. Ezeji said the closing prayer.

This year’s edition of Talent in Autism show was a huge success as a lot of our younger children that could not display their talents in the previous years were able to show case their potentials and skills